Flexible tab, tooling for the manufacture of the flexible tab and method of manufacturing the flexible tab

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a flexible tab used to open beer/beverage can ends and food can ends. The tab has a plurality of slots provided in about a middle part of the tab between a nose portion and a lift portion on opposing sides of the tab. The slots combine to form a fulcrum that extends generally transverse to an axis that passes along a length of the tab. The fulcrum allows the lift portion to pivot upwards and downwards in relation to the nose portion. The tab also has a paneled or beaded area adjacent to the slots at about the middle part of the tab. Tooling for the manufacture of the flexible tab is also provided. A method for manufacturing the flexible tab is additionally provided as well.

1. A flexible tab to be affixed to a can end, the tab comprising:
 a nose portion located at a front end of the tab; 
 a lift portion located at a back end of the tab having an outer surface with a preselected height, the nose portion having curled or hemmed edges and the tab having a preselected length; 
 an axis that passes along the length of the tab; 
 a plurality of slots provided in the tab between the nose portion and the lift portion on opposing sides of the tab, the plurality of slots combining to form a first fulcrum that extends generally transverse to the axis, the first fulcrum allowing the lift portion to pivot in relation to the nose portion; 
 a rivet receiving portion located rearwardly of the nose portion with a rivet hole, the rivet receiving portion being integrally attached to the nose portion; 
 an additional slot having opposed ends located adjacent to the rivet hole surrounding a portion of an outer periphery of the rivet receiving portion, the ends of the additional slot defining a second fulcrum, the second fulcrum allowing the tab to pivot about the second fulcrum; 
 a paneled or beaded area located in front of the outer surface of the lift portion at a height lower than the outer surface and adjacent to the plurality of slots, 
 wherein the paneled or beaded area includes a number of extensions each extending toward the nose portion of the tab between the additional slot and a corresponding one of the slots on the opposing sides of the tab, 
 wherein each of the extensions includes a substantially straight edge which defines a substantially straight segment of the additional slot, 
 wherein the paneled or beaded area has a first edge adjacent to the outer surface of the lift portion and in front of the outer surface of the lift portion, the first edge extending in a direction generally transverse to the axis, the first edge having opposite ends, 
 wherein the opposite ends of the first edge have a second edge or a third edge attached to one of the opposite ends, 
 wherein the second edge and the third edge are located in opposed relationship to each other with the second and third edges terminating at a juncture with the additional slot, and 
 wherein the second and third edges at the juncture with the additional slot are integrally connected to each other through a fourth edge. 
 
   
   
     2. The tab of  claim 1 , wherein the additional slot is a C-shaped slot. 
   
   
     3. The tab of  claim 1 , further comprising a can end affixed to the tab. 
   
   
     4. The can end of  claim 3 , wherein the can end is selected from the group consisting of beer can ends, beverage can ends and food can ends. 
   
   
     5. The tab of  claim 1 , wherein the nose portion and the lift portion are connected beneath the plurality of slots by a continuous curl portion. 
   
   
     6. The tab of  claim 1 , further comprising an axis that extends upwardly from the plurality of slots which forms an angle θ of 80° to 100° with the axis that passes along the length of the tab. 
   
   
     7. The tab of  claim 1 , wherein the lift portion bends upwardly about first fulcrum by an angle of about less than 45° which angle is defined by the angle formed between a line extending through the lift portion and the axis that passes along the length of the tab. 
   
   
     8. The tab of  claim 1 , wherein the lift portion bends upwardly about first fulcrum by an angle of about less than 30° which angle is defined by the angle formed between a line extending through the lift portion and the axis that passes along the length of the tab. 
   
   
     9. The tab of  claim 1 , further comprising a finger hole located in the lift portion of the tab.